The Indians lost their chief playmaker, Alex Gustin, to a leg injury while getting routed by Trans Valley League champion Escalon 45-13 on Oct. 8. Ripon suffered its third straight defeat, which put it at 2-4 on the season.

Three victories later, including an impressive 20-0 win over 2009 champion Modesto Christian, the Indians find themselves in a do-or-die scenario with an all-important showdown with Orestimba in Newman this Friday.

Both teams are 3-2 in the TVL and 5-4 overall, and they will battle for a Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV-B playoff berth.

Gustin returned to the team last week and contributed to its 51-8 pummeling of Riverbank, but junior Jake McCreath, his replacement at quarterback, remained behind center. Gustin, now a running back, had four carries and scored a touchdown each time while piling up 110 yards in limited action.

With the stronger-armed McCreath (23-of-51, 335 yards, 5 TDs, interceptions), a converted receiver, running the hybrid spread/wing-t offense, look for Ripon to do some creative things with Gustin.